Chapter 222: Defected To The Enemy, Chen Taos Family

A figure jumped down from the wall before the city gates were even opened. Its Yu Kuang! Bai Xiangxiu waved to greet him. As expected from a man from the wulin. Hes always in the lead. She could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She was definitely safe now that hed come to get her. However, her happiness had come a tad too early. Thump! Yu Kuang suddenly dived for the ground just when he came within ten steps from her. Crap! I forgot that I have the black devils snare right beside me.

Bai Xiangxiu quickly yelled upon seeing the arrival of Long Heng and Song Jiaoyue, Dont come near me!

Long Heng frowned, Did they apply some kind of drug on you? Why else would Yu Kuang suddenly fall to the ground like that? Or maybe shes in danger as well?

No, they didnt. You dont have to worry, this is just a result of me trying to defend myself. You must not come within ten steps of me. By the way, can I sleep outside the city for tonight? I dont want people to pass out after I enter the city.

How can there be such a potent drug?

Ill explain everything later. What shall we do with him?

Men, take good care of that man. Ill be keeping my wife company on the outskirts of the city for a night. Long Heng commanded as he pointed at Yu Kuang. He looked towards Bai Xiangxiu and said, Walk half a mile forward. Theres an abandoned farmhouse there. The entire family had already moved to the city due to the war.

Understood, Bai Xiangxiu could not bear to part with the black devils snare. She held the plant in her arms, walked around the horse carriage and began to walk according to Long Hengs directions.

Long Heng followed a little behind Bai Xiangxiu. They held a long distance conversation. He first noticed that the plant was a little too heavy for Bai Xiangxiu to carry, Let me help you carry that!

You cant! This isnt something you can touch!

Why did you disappear all of a sudden? Who abducted you?

Its Chen Tao. He abducted me in order to obtain the formula for the fire powder.

Did you give it to him?

I only gave him a fake one.

Then why didnt he pursue you?

He didnt pursue probably because hes still unconscious. Or maybe its because he knows that Ive returned.

Truth was, Chen Taos men had already caught up with her. Long Heng had sensed their presence for a while now, but he was secretly on guard. He wouldnt allow them to harm Bai Xiangxiu if they really did try to attack her. However, they left soon after they noticed Long Heng, as they were likely extremely afraid of him. Long Heng smiled coldly to himself. Chen Tao is such a base and shameless person. It seems that Ill have to pay him a visit tomorrow. But his utmost priority at the moment was Bai Xiangxius safety. He never thought that she would land into so much trouble just because she came to help him. However, why did he have to protect her from such a distance? He couldnt even hand over the chicken that hed painstakingly cooked for her. He had to leave it and stay ten steps away so that Bai Xiangxiu could walk up to t and start nibbling away. Xiuer, that flower of yours seems really unique.

Yes. Its a black devils snare. It grants one wish to a person if they water it with their blood. It granted me a wish after I watered it for four days, and I wished for everyone to faint immediately when they approached me for an entire day.

Blood? Dont you faint at the sight of blood?

I dont faint anymore. Ive gotten used to it.

Xiuer, you wouldnt have to suffer so much if it wasnt for me. He used to think that she was very weak and feeble when they were in the manor, but he now realized that she was actually very strong and resilient. She was like the black devils snare. It seemed elegant and vacuous, but was actually incredibly useful when the time came. The wound on your hand He finally noticed that there were many cuts and lacerations on her palms.

The wounds are almost all healed.

Long Heng tossed some wound ointment right next to her, Have a good nights rest after applying the medicine. I will watch over you through the night.

Mm, Bai Xiangxiu was very sleepy indeed. She felt very safe even though Long Heng was only keeping watch from afar. The next day, Bai Xiangxiu realized that she was lying in Long Hengs arms when she woke up. Theyd already returned to the city.

The flower.

Ive had one of the servants to help take it back. Its being potted just outside right now.

Thank you.

I need to report what Chen Tao did to you to Prince Rong.

Go on. Why does it feel like were an old couple thats been married for a long time? When did this suddenly occur?

Chen Tao had unexpectedly decided to defect to the enemy side in order to escape punishment for his previous actions. The enemy had begun to spread the news of his defection to try and terrorize the citizens. If the city guard captain had already surrendered to the enemy, wouldnt that mean that their side was about to lose the war? Long Heng laughed scornfully. The enemy seemed to have forgotten how hed chased them away every time. Hed only come back this time to assemble the troops so that he could muster his strength for an all out assault and take over their capital.

However, there was no way that Long Heng couldve predicted this turn of events. Chen Tao had brought his closest subordinates and defected to the enemy, but had left his family behind! His mother, wife, and two children were now imprisoned. Long Heng was incredibly furious, so much so that he actually slammed his hands on the table in public to release his anger. Chen Tao is such a coward! He actually abandoned his family so that he could live? What are we supposed to do with them?

Kill them?

Surely you jest. Theyre weak women and children. What good will it do if you killed them? Theyve done nothing wrong, right? Bai Xiangxiu said while serving Long Heng some tea. Her brows were scrunched together.

Youre against killing them? But the rules state that everyone in a deserters family must be executed without exceptions. Prince Rong also thinks that we should do this according to the courts laws. But

But it feels wrong to murder the innocent and the weak. Am I right?

Yes, Long Heng discussed almost everything with Bai Xiangxiu now. While she might not be a genius, she was still someone with a wide range of knowledge. Even someone like Prince Rong sang her praises.

Then change the childrens surnames and have the woman remarry.

Long Heng stared at her with surprise written all over his face. Wasnt a woman supposed to never have a second husband? However, this was a really good way for them to cut off all connections with Chen Tao.

Whats wrong? Isnt it a good idea? I understand that the woman might not agree, but is she really willing to watch her children die just so they can remain dedicated and wait for a traitor?

You really come up with all sorts of weird plans, but this might work well. Long Heng said as he pinched her cheeks, Go to sleep. Ill discuss it with Prince Rong.

Prince Rong hadnt intended to let them live in the first place, but this was actually quite a good plan. Putting a massive green hat on top of Chen Taos head would be incredibly humiliating.

Soon after, back at the enemy camp, Commander Lu was having a conversation with a furious man as they retreated back to their country. How can you possibly put up with such a humiliating thing? Theyve sullied your wife by giving her to somebody else.

Of course I cant! Chen Tao yelled through gritted teeth. But what I cant stand the most is that woman by his side. I wouldve gotten the formula for the bombs already if she wasnt such a sly fox!

Didnt she give you a formula? Let me have a look. A soldier beside Commander Lu thrust a hand out to Chen Tao. He looked young, and seemed very elegant and refined.

This Chen Tao hesitated. It wasnt something that should be handed over to a mere soldier, even if it was a fake.

Hand it over.

Chen Tao handed over the paper to the soldier after some hesitation. Something seemed a little off with that person, but Chen Tao just couldnt quite put his finger on it.